At the top of the stairs, Aden steps onto the cool wooden surface of the first step. Pressing his body against the wall, he tries to minimize the shadow his body casts in the moonlight, which is spilling in from a rectangular window in the basement.
When he reaches the last step, he summons his inner beast. His bones creak and his chest expands. The fabric of his shirt tightens on his growing frame, making the buttons strain.
He inches his way around the corner, but only counts two bodies. So, where’s the third? Where the hell is the Maalik assassin?
Chapter Three
Sophia Mahoney
SOPHIA JUMPS OUT of bed then slips on Aden’s dress shirt. Slowly, she creeps up to the doorway and peers out. She doesn’t see any movement, so she ventures outside of the room. Taking a few deep breaths, she tries to calm her shaking body. She grips the rail of the banister with her right hand and walks down the stairs. Her feet feel heavy, and her knees are shaking.
A low, throaty bark resonates from somewhere below. She can hear Thor growling. Several indistinct voices waft in the air. They sound as if they’re drawing closer. Sophia picks up her pace and takes the stairs two at a time. At the base of the platform, she backs up into the science fiction wing of the bookstore and crouches in the dark.
The dim lighting in the bookcases goes out. Crap. Did they shut off the power? Sophia hears footsteps drawing closer. She crouches then crawl on her hands and knees in the dark. Following the bookshelves, she weaves her way through the shelving of the non-fiction section then heads toward the restoration room.
Scared to stand, Sophia continues to crawl on the floor. Once she comes to the workbench; she slowly slides the drawer open. She raises her body just enough to slip a hand into the drawer. Her fingers wrap around the cold, hard barrel of the revolver.
She skims her finger over the safety, making the firearm hot, then cocks the hammer back. Drawing in a deep breath, she walks out of the restoration room toward the sound of the shouting men. When she passes the stairs and sitting area, their voices grow louder.
Thor yelps and she flinches.
Her heart is pounding in her chest because she doesn’t know what they’ve done to Thor, or where Aden is, for that matter.
Faint light floods the end of the hallway at the other end of the stairs. It’s coming from the basement. Sophia inches her way closer to the partially opened door. Peering through the opening, she doesn’t see anyone.
The skeleton key is still in the lock.
I could pull the door closed and lock them all down there and wait for the police to come.
Wrapping her fingers around the doorknob, she slowly pulls the door toward her.
A familiar voice wafts in the air.
What the hell is Aden doing down there? Fuck. I can’t lock him up down there with the others.
Sophia opens the door just enough to step down onto the wooden stairwell. She takes the steps one at a time on shaky legs. Slowly, step by step, she inches her way down the stairs. She tries to make as little noise as possible, but the boards under her feet moan and groan. Once she reaches the bottom, Sophia peeks around the corner.
There are three men in the room. And they’re fighting with Aden.
One of them men strikes Aden, and he falls to his knees.
She draws in a deep breath then covers her mouth.
Below her, Thor’s motionless body lays on the stone floor. As she draws closer, two of the men grab hold of Aden. He pulls loose of his captors and tackles one of the men to the ground.
Aden, partially transformed, sniffs the air. He looks up, locks eyes with Sophia and shakes his head.
The man on the ground cocks his head to the side then smirks. “We got company boys.”
Sophia draws in a deep breath because she recognizes him. The guy on the floor was with the older Italian man and Monte when they took her uncle’s journal.
“Well, hello there, Cara.” Monte peers at her. His eyes travel the length of her body. He grins then takes several steps forward.
She backs up and stops at the base of the stairs. “That’s close enough.” Sophia raises the gun chest level. Her fingers grip the butt of the gun so tight, that her knuckles turn white.
“Anyone ever tell you that you shouldn’t point a gun unless you intend to use it, darling?” The dark-headed man steps forward.
“You should put that down before you hurt yourself,” Monte says with a smirk.
“Stop,” She commands with a tremor in her voice. “Or I’ll shoot you.”
“I doubt that seriously.” the man with dark hair walks up behind Monte.
“Shut up.” Sophia’s hands tremble, making it hard to keep the gun steady. God, get a grip.
“You’re shaking like a leaf.” Monte’s eyes glow in the dim light. “Give me the gun before you hurt yourself.”
“Do you even know where the safety is?” asks the dark-haired man.
“I told you to shut up, both of you.”
“What’s under the shirt, Cara?” Monte lunges forward.
Sophia’s eyes widen as wide as saucers. She squeezes the trigger. The recoil of the gun kicks her hands up and back. The sensation of the recoil is akin to catching a hard baseball in an old, worn mitt. Her fingers tingle from the impact. She repositions her grip and tightens her hold.
She levels the weapon then fires again. The men and Aden drop to the ground. She draws in a deep breath and peer down at them. Her skin has a light buzz to it. Magic. She can feel the current swirling under her tingling flesh.
“If either of you get up, I’ll shoot again.” Tears spill over the brim of her eyes then run down her cheeks.
“You bitch—” Monte growls. “Son of a Bitch. You shot my fucking thigh.”
“And just remember.” She swallows hard and struggles to retain her composure. “I’ll shoot you again if you stand up, asshole.”
Aden and the man closest to him rise to a standing position. When the man reaches behind his back, Aden shoves him to the side, and they roll out of view.
Swift movement catches the corner of Sophia’s eyes.
The dark-headed man lunges forward.
Sophia’s body is slammed to the hard, stone floor, and the gun goes off. The man grabs hold of her left hand and slams it against the flooring. The impact sends the firearm sliding out of her hand and under the wooden stairs.
She looks up into his dark eyes. “Get off me.”
She squirms under him, but he pins her down to the floor under the weight of his body.
“Stop it.” She rakes her nails against the man’s face.
“Son-of-a-bitch,” the man grumbles under his breath. “You’re a regular little hellcat, aren’t you?” He grabs hold of her wrists, pulling them overhead. “Someone needs to fucking tame you.”
Sophia twists to the side. Pushing up with her legs, she knocks the man off balance.
He peers down at her and grins. “You’re going to be fun to play with, pet.” He slides a hand down the side of her body.
“I’m not your pet.” Sophia frees her right leg and drives her knee upward.
“Fuck.” He blocks the blow then grabs hold of her upper right thigh.
She focuses on the magic flowing through her body then presses a hand against his chest. A deep-seated warmth ripples under her skin, and she releases a pulse of energy that surges through the tips of her fingers.
He groans then grabs her hand, ripping it free of his chest. “Don’t do that again.” The man repositions his body, pinning her legs down under him. “And Sophia, stop moving. Or I’m going to hurt you.”
A low, throaty growl bounces off the walls.
The man stiffens then cries out.
Thor’s massive head is next to her. He bites down on the man’s bicep and partially yanks the man off of Sophia.
She rips her hands-free and slides out from under her captor, who is now struggling with Thor.
Sophia rolls to the edge of the stairwell and feels u
nder the bottom step. Her fingertips brush against the cold steel of the barrel. She reaches further then wraps her fingers around the gun.
A hand wraps around her right ankle and rips her away from the stairs.
She loses her grip on the gun.
Strong hands grab her shoulders, forcing her onto her back.
Sophia gasps then looks up. Seething green, glowing orbs peer down into her eyes. A sob escapes her parted lips. She’s face to face with Monte.
His hot, putrid breath snakes over her neck.
“I’m going to make you pay for shooting me.” He grins then lowers his head next to her left ear. “And Cara, I’m going to enjoy hearing you scream and beg.”
Extending her left arm, she feels blindly for the handgun.
Monte slides a hand down the front of her shirt. He grabs hold of her breast through the fabric and squeezes.
Sophia latches onto a fistful of his long, shaggy hair and she yanks his head back.
“You smell sweet.” He slides a hand under the neck of the shirt and cups her breast.
“God, please, no—”
“I’m going to enjoy fucking with you,” Monte growls.
Sophia lets go of his hair and feels around the floor, once again. The tips of her fingers brush against the gun.
Monte grabs hold of her leg then slides his hand up her thigh. “I can smell him on you,” he hisses in her ear. His fingers dig into her flesh, trying to pry her thighs apart.
She opens her mouth and screams. Extending her arm as far as she can, Sophia manages to grab hold of the butt of the gun.
“Not so fast.” Monte encases her wrist in his palm.
Sophia struggles against him, fighting for control of the weapon. Her index finger slip around the steel. She squeezes her eyes shut then pulls the trigger.
The recoil slams her hand against the floor. Her ears ring. The sound, it’s is deafening.
Monte laces his fingers through her hair. “You don’t listen very well, do you?” He slams her head against the stone floor.
Her vision blurs and her surroundings grow fuzzy. Sophia sucks in a ragged breath. She claws at the darkness now clouding her vision, hoping to find his face.
Monte’s body shifts to the side, and she’s yanked to her feet. Her knees buckle, and she feels weightless.
Her eyes flutter open, but she can’t see through the haze.
Arms encase her body, holding her firmly in place.
The ringing in her ears begins to subside.
Distant voices fill the air.
Sophia rubs her eyes and looks up again. Her vision is blurry, but she can make out a face. Soft blue eyes peer down at her, appraising her keenly.
“Logan,” she says, barely above a whisper.
“I’ve got you.” Logan’s soothing voice echoes around her. “You’re safe.”
Sophia closes her eyes. She lays her head against his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart.
“No. Sophia.” He jostles her. “Open your eyes.”
Her eyes snap open. “Aden...is he okay? And Thor—”
“They’re okay. Aden’s talking to the police.” Logan cradles her in his arms.
Looking around, she catches a fuzzy glimpse of the basement walls. They’re standing in the stairwell. Her eyes water then close.
“No. Don’t do that. Look at me.”
Her body feels tired, heavy. All she wants to do is sleep. She opens her eyes and watches Logan’s lips move. The sound of his voice is drifting further away.
Sophia takes a deep breath then exhales, slowly. The tense muscles in her back and neck relax. In Logan’s arms, she knows she’s safe. So she closes her eyes and lets the encroaching darkness consume her.
Chapter Four
Aden Clarkson
ADEN CALLS HER NAME, softly, but she doesn’t respond. The beat of her heart, erratic and fast, thumps in his ears. Laying in the middle of the hospital bed, her eyes move under her lids. Taking a deep breath, he drinks in her growing fear.
Screaming, she sucks in a ragged breath then swings her arms at an invisible phantom. Her eyes flutter then open. A haziness clouds her brown eyes. And she peers through him instead at him.
Sophia’s heart races faster in her chest, keeping a steady cadence, and her eyes water.
The emergency room physician in the room, Dr. Marks, shines a light on her face.
Sophia raises a hand to shield her eyes from the piercing, invading light.
“Open your eyes, Sophia.” Dr. Marks’ voice echoes in the room.
Her eyes snap open, and she peers up at the man with eyes as wide as saucers.
“That’s it,” Dr. Marks says. “Now, look at me.”
Her eyes grow heavy, and her lids slowly slide shut.
Dr. Marks extracts a packet from his white lab coat and tears it opened. The distinct aroma of ammonia fills the air.
Sophia grabs her chest. Her body is racked by deep, bronchial spasms. Her chest heaves, she can’t breathe. Finally, she sucks in a breath, but she starts coughing, again. Between bouts of coughing, she whimpers.
“Open your eyes,” Dr. Marks instructs. “Wake up.”
Her eyes flutter open. And she blinks several times. “What is that smell?” Her voice is thick, raspy.
“It’s smelling salt,” replies the doctor. “Now, I need you to stay awake. Do you think you can do that for me?”
“Where am I?” A new wave of tears brim her lower lids. “Who are you?”
“You’re in the Downtown Baptist Hospital.” He pauses. “I’m Dr. Marks.” The man’s voice has a warm timbre to it. “Do you remember what happened?”
Tears erupt from the corners of her eyes. “Where’s Aden?”
“I’m right here.” Aden leans over the rail of the bed.
She bites down on her trembling lower lip.
A woman wearing scrubs steps in front of Aden. “Excuse me.” She smiles. “Relax.” She pats Sophia’s hand. “You’re going to be okay.”
Her eyelids flutter and her eyes roll back.
“Sophia.” Aden’s voice echoes in the room. “Open your eyes,”
Her eyes snap open, and she locks gazes with Aden.
A small half smile washes across her face, which is a welcomed sight to see.
The doctor leans in close to her face. “Can you see me?”
“Yes, but you’re fuzzy.” She blinks several times. “My head hurts like I’ve been hit with a wrecking ball. And that light you’re shining doesn’t make it feel any better.” Sophia reaches for the Doctor’s hand and pushes his penlight away from her face.
Aden takes hold of her hand, holding it in his.
“That’s because you have a concussion.” Dr. Marks cups her chin in one hand while shining the light in her eyes with the other. “Do you hear buzzing or ringing in your ears?”
She groans. “Yes. Well, it comes and goes.” Her eyes water, and she blinks, rapidly.
Dr. Marks conducts an examination. He checks her reflexes and has her squeeze his hands to check her strength.
“She has a concussion. I don’t think it’s anything to stress over. But, I’m going to keep her overnight for observation.” Dr. Mark’s holds Aden’s gaze. “And if she feels well enough tomorrow, and if the double vision is gone, I’ll release her then.” Dr. Marks scribbles something on the clipboard in his hands. “When Ms. Maloney leaves here, where will she stay? And who’ll be with her?”
“She’ll be with me,” Aden replies.
“We just changed shifts,” Dr. Marks says. “So it shouldn’t be long before she’s taken to a room.”
The nurse pulls a gown from a self and approaches the bed. “Sorry, but you’ll have to step outside for a moment.”
Sophia’s eyes widen, and she shakes her head. “No. I don’t want him to go.”
“He can come back in once you’re dressed.” The nurse turns her attention on Aden.
“I’ll be right outside the door.” Aden reluctantly step
s out of the room.
Down the hall, he spots Logan, who closes the gap between them.
“How is she?” Logan reaches into his pocket. “I found this in the basement.” He hands Aden his cell phone. “Thought you might need it.”
“Thanks.” Aden pockets the electronic device. “She has a concussion.” He pauses. “Dr. Marks is keeping her overnight. A nurse is with her right now, helping her change. So, what did you find out about the intruders?”
“The two injured ones are at the Methodist, but the Maalik assassin, he willingly let the police take him into custody.” Logan shakes his head. “It’s as if he wanted to get caught.”
Chapter Five
Sophia Mahoney
ONCE SOPHIA IS DRESSED; the nurse wheels the bed out of the emergency room. Out in the hallway, she searches for Aden, but the corridor is empty. He’s nowhere to be found.
The nurse pushes the gurney into the elevator then hits the button for the third floor. Once in a room, she helps Sophia slide off the emergency room bed and onto another, and then she leaves the room.
A rap on the door makes Sophia jump.
“You in there?” Aden enters the room.
“Aden.” A smile washes across her face.
He makes his way across the room. “How are you feeling?”
“Better, now that you’re here.” She looks at the open doorway. “Where’s Logan? I thought I heard his voice.”
“He went back to the bookstore. He and a couple of his guys are reviewing the footage recorded. We think someone working for Logan’s company may have been working for the Doccioner clan.”
“What makes you think that?”
“The intruders hit the bookstore during a shift change. And they knew where the cameras were and how to disable the security system.”
Footsteps drum on the floor. “Visiting hours are over.” The nurse’s lips turn down into a frown. “I can let you stay for a few more minutes then you’ll have to leave. You can come back in the morning.”
Sophia’s eyes brim with tears. “Why can’t he stay?”
“Only family after hours.” The nurse’s lips are set in a thin, white line.
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